Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-07-08
OLYMPIA. WASHINGTON TER.
OLYMPIA, FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 5. 1857.
The Celebration.

The Celebration.
II anybody has doubted that Thurs
ton county could get up really cred
liable celebration OF our nations an
niversary with the gigantic efforts Of
Tacoma, Seattle and Portland to mo-
nopolize the day and attract our peo-
pie abroad, that impression is now
removed. The response to the invita-
ton of our citizens was universal, aud
several days preceding the Fourth,
the farmers and loggers began to
Rally around the flag" for season
of joyous recreation, as we'll as to COM
memorate the deeds of the heroes who
planted deeply and firmly on the rock
of enduring ages the foundations OF
the glorious fabric of Liberty which is
to-day the pride Of great and pros
porous people. Town We'd with the
country in patriotic fervor, and the
result has been a celebration that
would reflect credit upon any COM
munity Of equal numbers and means
for enjoyment. Although several hun
dred of our citizens went to Tacoma
and Seattle, they were not missed, for
in the place of every absentee at least
ten visitors appeared to enter into the
spirit OF the great occasion.
The publication of the programme
in previous issues of the STANDARD
Obviates the necessity of allusion to
the many features of the day in de-
tail, further than to state that, so far
as possible, it was followed. The pro-
cession of Horribles was omitted for
the very good reason that no Falstaff
appeared to muster in the recruits,
and the work contemplated was too
comprehensive in its scope to be I'M
dertaken without somebody to assume
general direction and control. Had
this want been known in time, it
would undoubtedly have been sup
piled, for we have many young men
in the community who possess fine
appreciation of grotesque humor and
the ability to devise the best means
for giving it expression. Several out
landish garbs were visible ON the
street, at the. appointed hour, and
seemed to please the children, but the
characters essayed were generally re-
garded as too profound for the COM
prehension of grown people.
The procession, formed at IL 80 P.
NJ, was several blocks long and
elected universal commentator. The
Knights of Pythias, in their new uni
forms, presented an exceedingly fine
appearance, and the precision OF
their evolutions was a surprise to
those who had not seen them on pa
rade. The Odd Fellows and fire Or
CARNATIONS too, made a very credita-
bic appearance, when we take into
consideration that many of the men,
bers were unavoidably prevented from
joining in the march by other duties
Not the least pleasing feature of the
procession was the army of pretty
girls, in white, each carrying the ma
tional flag.
The exercises on the plaza began
promptly at 100 P. NJ. Maj. Brecken-
ridge called the meeting to order, and
in few well-chosen words announced
the order of exercises. These were
opened with prayer by Rev. r. H.
Massey. Then followed Hail Co.
lumbia," sung by chorus of thirty
children under the direction of Mrs
Jones. A recitation by Prof. Hender.
son of Brakes address to the Amer
lean Flag" served to raise patriotic
fervor to fever heat, which was, il
possible augmented by Miss Corkish'i
rendition of the "Star Spangled Ban
ner," supported by a chorus of juve
nile singers. Then came the Grafton
by Hon. Sidney Dell, which was 8
masterpiece of patriotic historical re
search, and f" America" by the Band
On motion Of Judge Henry, unani
nous vote of thanks was rendered thu
orator, after which the audience wa!
dismissed with the benediction. Tht
seats provided for the people were in
adequate for the accommodation O
more than one-half the audience pres
ent, and a large proportion good-na
turedly perched themselves on thu
top rails of the fence that surround.
the plaza, or busted q place on tn,
sidewalks for q temporary resting
place when standing became tiresome
Had the committee not miscalculatet
the probable attendance, seats would
have been provided for all.
The hose-race occupied severn.
hours in the afternoon, the delay
being occasioned by misunderstood
ing OF the stipulations made by the
contestants. The test was tn RIM on,
400 feet of hose, attach to steamer
throw water, disconnect and take
out one section, substitute another
and throw water. No. rs made the
run in fine style, but fouled in failure
to secure water the first time; run
made in 2 :35 minutes. No l made the
gun in precisely two minutes, and sec
ond trial of No. rs placed their record
at 80. So the prize of $25 was award